New for 2026, this topic reflects the Department of War’s (DoW) designation of Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI) as one of its six Critical Technology Areas (CTAs), underscoring its importance in achieving decision superiority, operational efficiency, and rapid capability delivery to the warfighter. We welcome papers which explore AI applications across the lifecycle of military ground vehicle systems, including:

• Development & Design: AI-driven modeling, simulation, digital twins, generative design, and cybersecurity.
• Production & Manufacturing: Smart manufacturing, predictive quality assurance, and supply chain optimization.
• Operations: Autonomous navigation, human-machine teaming, and real-time sensor fusion for battlefield advantage.
• Sustainment: Predictive maintenance, logistics resilience, and lifecycle readiness optimization.

The A&R technical session is focused on practical demonstrations of robotic systems, algorithms, and autonomous behaviors. Particularly promising projects which present a clear path towards prototyping and demonstration are also of interest, as is theoretical work which provide significant improvements in robotic performance. Submissions should emphasize operational relevance, speed-to-field, and alignment with our military’s autonomy and AI priorities. Cross-sector collaboration and commercial technology adaptation are strongly encouraged. Topics of interest include, but are limited to:

• Autonomous and operator-assisted operation of robotic assets, especially in challenging terrain and in the presence of hostile elements
• Robotic system design for reconnaissance, resupply, combat, and engineering
• Counter-robotic and counter-swarm defenses
• Novel sensors and multimodal sensing integration 

Robust cybersecurity for military vehicles and their supporting facets is essential to prevent adversary access, maintain system integrity, and ensure mission continuity. Due to the exceptional characteristics of vehicle platforms and operations (e.g. actuators to interact with the physical environment, real-time controls and messaging, cost-per-platform, network isolation) that differ from typical enterprise technologies, vehicle cybersecurity has many unique obstacles and considerations that range from discovering system weaknesses and issue remediation to resourcing concerns and protecting the lives of personnel in the field. Accordingly, papers submitted to the cybersecurity category should provide the military ground vehicle S&T community with tangible insights into the areas of:

• Implementations of Zero Trust Architecture Principles
• Methodologies for Secure Data Communication/Authentication
• Countermeasures against Supply Chain Compromise
• Cybersecurity Lessons Learned in Development Lifecycles
• Tools and Techniques for Assessing Vehicle System Susceptibility
• Relevant Case Studies that Highlight Adversarial Threat Actors/Capabilities
• Applicable Cybersecurity Solutions from Adjacent Industries

Digital Engineering and Systems Engineering are no longer emerging practices – they are foundational capabilities for integrating advanced technologies into coherent, adaptable, and survivable ground maneuver systems. As Artificial Intelligence, autonomy, modular architectures, advanced manufacturing, and contested logistics reshape the ground combat landscape, the central challenge is no longer what technologies exist, but how they are integrated together to deliver mission advantage across the lifecycle.

The GVSETS 2026 Digital Engineering / Systems Engineering (DE/SE) Technical Track seeks papers that move beyond standalone MBSE case studies, tool demonstrations, or process descriptions, and instead focus on decision-centric, lifecycle-integrated systems engineering applied to real ground maneuver challenges. This track emphasizes how Digital Engineering and Systems Engineering are used to reduce uncertainty, manage integration risk, govern the application of AI and MOSA, and support better engineering and programmatic decisions from concept through sustainment and modernization.

Papers should clearly articulate the engineering decision(s) being supported, the uncertainty or risk addressed, and how digital approaches change the trade space, timing, or lifecycle outcome. Lessons learned – including what did not work as expected – are encouraged.

Topics of Interest

Topics below should be addressed in the context of the engineering decision(s) supported and the lifecycle or integration risk reduced.

1. Decision-centric Digital Engineering and Systems Engineering supporting time-critical engineering and programmatic decisions

2. Engineering integration of Artificial Intelligence, autonomy, and advanced analytics with defined human authority, trust boundaries, and validation strategies

3. System- and enterprise-level trade space exploration addressing integration risk, upgradeability, and lifecycle outcomes

4. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) applied as a decision enabler

5. Digital threads and lifecycle continuity from concept through sustainment and modernization

6. Executable architectures, modeling and simulation, and validation approaches that reduce uncertainty early

7. DE/SE lessons learned from operational programs including integration challenges, failures, and course corrections

Modeling, Simulation, Prototyping, and Validation (MSPV): The MSPV Technical Session covers the development of advanced and novel MSPV technologies as well as the application of existing technologies to military ground vehicles. This technical session will highlight current developments in MSPV technology and discuss gaps and challenges in the MSPV application domains. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• System-level M&S 
• Physics-based M&S 
• Testing, verification, validation and accreditation 
• Data analysis and modeling 
• Human/hardware-in-the-loop M&S and virtual experimentation 
• Physical and virtual concepting & prototyping 
• VR/AR/MR/XR based simulation
• AI/ML/LLMs used in M&S 
• M&S automation/running at scale 
• Quantum computing in M&S 

The MOSA technical session will explore the latest advancements in Modular Open Systems Approaches (MOSA), a game-changer for the Ground Vehicle Community. This session showcases MOSA’s potential to drive innovation, competition, and cross-platform operability. Topics of interest include, but not limited to:

•  System & Software Architectures
• In-vehicle Networks & Onboard Computing
• Onboard high-performance computing
• Safety & Mission Critical Systems
• Onboard Video & Sensor Systems
• Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber (C5) Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) (C5ISR) systems

The P&M technical session covers both research and development of various technologies and application of such technologies to specific military vehicles. This technical session will highlight current developments in P&M technology and discuss gaps and challenges in the P&M application domains. Topics of interest include, but not limited to:

• Electric motors, generators, energy storage devices, power electronics, and high voltage architectures under high temperature conditions
• Advanced propulsion systems
• Advanced running gear systems
• Advanced power generation and power transmission technology including mechanical and non-mechanical systems.
• Alternative military fuels and power sources

This session invites submissions on emerging, specialized, or cross-cutting technologies that expand GVSETS’s coverage of innovation in support of ground vehicle modernization. Papers should contribute to advancing knowledge, closing capability gaps, and addressing future operational challenges. Of particular interest are papers that advance the Department of War’s Critical Technology Areas (CTAs) of Contested Logistics and Biomanufacturing, specifically as they relate to ground maneuver systems. Submissions should emphasize operational relevance, scalability, and alignment with U.S. military modernization priorities. Cross-sector collaboration and adaptation of commercial technologies are strongly encouraged. 

While not limited to the following, areas of particular interest include:

• Advanced Computing Technologies: Innovations in programming languages, commercial software, edge computing, and high-performance algorithms.

• Advanced Manufacturing: Techniques and systems enabling rapid development, prototyping, production, and sustainment of maneuver platforms.

• Advanced Materials: Novel materials and processes—including additive manufacturing—that enhance design, durability, and performance.

• Biomanufacturing: Development of structural materials, polymers, composites, and advanced fuels, oils, and lubricants.

• Contested Logistics: Predictive models, asset visibility, autonomous distribution, and small-lot delivery, including watercraft.

• Predictive and Preventative Maintenance: Sensor integration, analytics, data management, and fleet sustainment technologies.